Recently, the term neurodiversity has become more and more common, but not all people are aware of what exactly it means.
Neurodivergent is a non-medical term that describes a person whose brain develops or works differently for some reason. While some people who are neurodivergent have medical conditions, it also happens to people who have no identified medical condition or diagnosis.
Harvard University defines neurodiversity as the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder, as well as other neurological conditions and developmental problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or learning disabilities.
The idea of neurodiversity is that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways, and there is no one “correct” way of thinking, learning, and behaving. Thus, the differences are not seen as deficits.
Why does the term exist?
The neurodiversity movement emerged as early as the 1990s. The goal was to increase the acceptance and inclusion of all people while embracing neurological differences. Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the term neurodiversity to promote equality and inclusion of neurological minorities.
What does it mean when a person is neurodivergent?
The term neurodivergent refers to people who have different strengths and weaknesses than those whose brains develop or work more typically. Possible differences include medical conditions, learning disabilities and other conditions. Possible strengths include better memory, the ability to visualize three-dimensional objects easily, the ability to solve complex mathematical calculations in the mind, and many more.
Can people who are neurodivergent be successful?
The short answer is yes. Many people who are neurodivergent are successful. Some examples of famous people who have spoken out about the issue include Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins, singer Florence Welch, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
